About The Rawley Aretes:
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A grouping of quartzite aretes, perched on a remote ridge in Rawley Springs, at the back of the Gum Run Basin. First climbed around the time the rest of the rock in the area was being explored and discovered, by many of the same folks. Aretes are striking and offer a number of variations, although toproping can be tricky. Bring a crashpad... some of the landings are pretty decent for highballing... but remember that the hike out involves descending a talus slope, as well. There are several detached monoliths, as well, tapering in size as you move SW along the ridge, one with a great overhanging prow on the downhill side... good fun! |
| Nearest town or city: | Rawley Springs |
| Directions: | Drive as for Gum Run, park at the end of the FS road, do not block the gate or the construction entrance on the streamside of the parking area. Either cross the creek, walk along the island, then cross the creek again, or simply walk up to the superb Boulder Wall, follow it to its end, the descend to the creek and contour along the bank, upstream, until the old road/trail opens to the right. BE ADVISED: the trail to the aretes has fallen into disuse in the last decade, and is now much more of an adventure than the dayhike it once was. Long pants and sturdy boots are advised, and hone up your trailfinding skills... it ain't all that obvious, in places. Follow the trail until it dives R into the creek, then either contour along the bank or follow the red splotches through the talus field, staying fairly close to the creek. Aim for an anvil-shaped boulder, where you will descend again to the trail. Follow this through several more deadfall tangles and a few big puddles. When you clear the last deadfall, the water should be just to your right... this is a great little break spot, overlooking a nice little staircase cascade. Beyond this, the trail continues before once more plunging into the water. Do not cross, but contour along the bank on a faint trail through conifers. Begin to move uphill to the left about twenty yards on, aiming for the base of the descending talus slope. Contour up along the edge of this slope, switching back once at a large boulder and travresing straight right about ten yards just beyond, before continuing uphill. The aretes are invisible when the leaves are on, so you'll practically bump into them before finding them. Good luck. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | |
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| Camping: | Free |
| When to Climb: | |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Day |
Forum Discussions (1 posts)
| Subject | Author | Replies | Last Post | |
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Rawley Aretes in VA??? | chugach001 | 3 | Sep 29 2009, 1:49 PM |
